For anyone who doesn't like a lot of conversation in their stories…this chapter may not be for you.

Tony's Salvation Chapter 16

Gibbs smiles at what his agent isn't saying. He tells Tim to get Tony to the airport then heads down to Abby's lab. Ziva slips over to Tim's desk to finish reading the online brochure. Her eyes widen when she reads the fine print and she quickly picks up her phone to make a call.

Ziva listens to what her contacts are saying, thanks them in Hebrew and hangs up. She then heads down to Abby's lab where Gibbs is still talking to the forensic scientist. So far, Abby's managed to stonewall the ever impatient ex-Marine. When she sees Ziva however, she knows it's time to come clean.

"Come on Abbs, it's not too hard to figure out that McGee didn't come up with that online brochure by himself."

"Look, I'm worried about Tony too. This restaurant, on the site it says that she's a licensed medical doctor as well as a psychologist. I was just trying to help him Gibbs. I just figure that she can take a look at him and help him when we haven't been able to."

"Abbs…have you actually talked to Dr. Fields?"

"Umm…" the goth starts playing with her fingers and Gibbs steps closer, puts a finger under her chin. "No, but the manager did say that they will be able to pick Tony up from the airport."

Gibbs turns away, briefly sees Ziva out of the corner of his eye before turning back to Abby. "You do realize that the reason Tony was so excited today is that he thought he had a chance to meet his mystery woman at this particular restaurant?"

"Gibbs there is more." Ziva gulps when she sees the icy blue glare sent her way but swallows down her fear to continue. "Ms. Fields is actually Lieutenant Commander Fields with the U.S. Navy. My contacts have informed me that she is not expected to be stateside for another 48 hours."

Gibbs turns his full icicle gaze on Abby, who's cringing by the mass spectrometer. "Abbs do you even realize that everything you've done could set Tony back. It could push him off the deep end!"

"Which is why Agent McGee will be flying out there 24 hours from now; to make sure that he doesn't." Vance is standing there, toothpick firmly in place as he makes the statement.

"And are you going to guarantee that Fields will even show up at the restaurant?" Gibbs cant help feeling like his agents are being thrown to the four winds again. And Leon Vance is the one doing the throwing…again.

"Oh, she'll be there." One way or another if Vance has anything to say about it.

Abby and Ziva watch as the lead agent of the MCRT and the director of NCIS glare at each other for several more minutes, before Vance finally heads back upstairs.

Abby looks at Gibbs apologetically, "Laurie should be there tonight; it's Thursday and she cooks on Thursday's when she's home. Leon said that she'd be there."

Gibbs just shakes his head at her refusal to listen to what any of the rest of them have said. He storms back upstairs leaving the two women to wonder about what their own futures might hold.

In the meantime, Tim has made it to Tony's apartment and is straightening the place up while Tony packs.

"Hey Probie, whatcha think?"

"About what Tony?"

"My wardrobe while I'm out there."

Tim finishes putting the last dish away before entering Tony's bedroom. He watches as Tony flits from drawer to suitcase, tossing in a pair of socks or taking out a t-shirt.

"You're gonna want a few jeans and t-shirts while you're there Tony. Maybe a sweatshirt or two and possibly a suit."

"Sounds good to me McGee." Tony keeps haphazardly throwing stuff in and Tim automatically starts folding it.

"Hey Tony, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Probie, what's on your mind?"

"Actually that's what I'd like to know. Or maybe I should ask who's on your mind?"

Tony slows down and turns to look at him. "Who are you talking about?"

"The lady that you're going to go see. It's obvious that she's someone special to you, that she means a lot to you."

"Yeah, she does Tim. I just hope that she can see that as well."

"I can do more checking on her if you want?"

"No, I know what I need to." With that Tony closes his suitcase and herds Tim out of his apartment. At the airport as they wait for his flight to be announced, Tim watches as Tony's excitement starts to build again. He smiles as the senior agent waves at him as he boards the plane. Tim McGee isn't sure what awaits his friend at the other end of the flight, but he has a feeling it's going to be someone good.

A/N: Short chapter, but the next one is longer...guaranteed. ^_^